PPB January 2015

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62 • PPB • JANUARY 2015 GROW
On The Up And Up
IPROMOTEU (D)
Wayland, Massachusetts
Ross Silverstein, president and CEO
• Founded: 1999
• 2014 Inc. 5000 Ranking: 3905
• Three-Year Growth Rate: 78%
• 2013 Revenue: $105.4 million
• Number of Employees: 65 (27 new jobs added
within the past three years)
• Previous Years On Inc. 5000 list: Three (2011 No.
3685, 2012 No. 3583, 2013 No. 3659)
Growing With The Times
When Ross Silverstein started his company, iPROMOTEu, in
1999, he brought to it an extensive background in management,
finance and acquisitions as a former corporate attorney at a leading
Boston-area law firm. He also had experience as vice president and
general counsel for RE/MAX, a real estate broker franchise.
Although he was new to the promotional products industry, some-
thing about the industry just drew him in. “I had certain criteria in
mind,” says Silverstein. “I studied the industry extensively and it
seemed to fit my criteria.”When his wife was pregnant with their
fourth child, he quit his job and launched his company. “It was a risk,
but I embraced it. I persevered.”
The idea worked. IPROMOTEu provides financing and adminis-
trative support to non-franchise affiliates, and works with those dis-
tributors to source and sell branded products.
Strategy For Growth
“Two things: First, iPROMOTEu provides, in my opinion, the
very best economic and lifestyle arrangement for promotional products
distributors, says Ross Silverstein, president and CEO. Second, we
really care about our affiliates. It is a priority for us to ensure that our
affiliates are made to feel special and important.”
Secret To Differentiation
Silverstein believes his company provides better service and sup-
port at a lower cost than other distributor organizations. The company
allows its affiliates to operate using their own names and identities,
and doesn’t impose any non-compete or other restrictive provisions, he
says. Silverstein is also proud of the culture of the organization. “There
is energy, enthusiasm and camaraderie. Our affiliates love being a part
of iPROMOTEu,” he says.
Sustaining Growth
“We work hard to earn our affiliates’ business every day; we don’t
take anything for granted,” says Silverstein. “We continue to offer new
and better products and services to enhance our overall offering to dis-
tributors.”
What’s Ahead In 2015
“More affiliates, more growth, more fun,” he says.
“We work hard to earn our aff iliates’ business every day;
we don’t take anything for granted. We continue to offer
new and better products and services to enhance our overall
offering to distributors.”